Toy Talmadge Caldwell Jr.(November 13, 1947 – February 25, 1993) was an American musician who was most notable as thelead guitaristand main songwriter of the 1970sSouthern RockgroupThe Marshall Tucker Band.[1]A founding member of the band, Caldwell remained with the group until 1983. In addition to his role as lead guitarist, he was also the band'ssteel guitaristand performed lead vocals including on one of the band's best-known hits, "Can't You See."
Toy Caldwell | |
|---|---|
 Toy Caldwell during a 1974 concert. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Toy Talmadge Caldwell Jr. |
| Born | November 13, 1947 Spartanburg, South Carolina,U.S. |
| Died | February 25, 1993(aged 45) Moore, South Carolina,U.S. |
| Genres | Southern rock,country rock,rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician,songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar,vocals,pedal steel guitar |
| Years active | 1972–1993 |
| Formerly of | The Marshall Tucker Band Toy Caldwell Band |
Early life
editCaldwell was born November 13, 1947, inSpartanburg, South Carolina,to Mr. and Mrs. Toy Talmadge Caldwell Sr. He began playing guitar before his teen years with his younger brotherTommy Caldwell.He developed a unique style of playing, playing the electric guitar using his thumb rather than a pick. Toy played basketball and football in high school with friendsGeorge McCorkle,Jerry Eubanks,andDoug Gray.While very involved in sports, the boys eventually became interested in music including jazz and blues. By the age of sixteen, Caldwell was passionate about music, sports, and his other obsession, motorcycles. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Caldwell decided to enlist in theUnited States Marine Corps.In 1966, he reported forrecruit trainingatParris Island,South Carolina. After being wounded inVietnamin September 1968, he was evacuated for two weeks, then returned for duty. Caldwell was discharged in 1969 and once again began playing music with his high school buddies. The Spartanburg chapter of the Marine Corps League is named the Hutchings-Caldwells Detachment in honor of Toy, his brother Tommy and another Marine, Pvt Nolan Ryan Hutchings, who was killed during the Iraq Invasion in 2003.[2]
Career
editThe Marshall Tucker Band
editReturning to Spartanburg from his military service Caldwell formed the Toy Factory band with Franklin Wilkie, Doug Gray and Jerry Eubanks. Younger brother Tommy Caldwell joined in 1973 when Wilkie left and the band became the Marshall Tucker Band. Toy Caldwell was the group's lead guitarist and main songwriter.[3]
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Later career
editHe later formed the Toy Caldwell Band and released an eponymous CD in 1992; the record was later renamedSon of the Southby Southern country rocker and Caldwell's personal friend,Charlie Daniels.The album was digitally re-released in 2009 through Hopesong Digital /GMV Nashville.
Personal life
editCaldwell married his wife Abbie on September 12, 1969. The song "Ab's Song" from The Marshall Tucker Band'sdebut albumwas written for her. He was also the father of two girls.
He was the older brother of co-founder andbass guitaristTommy Caldwell,who was killed at age 30 in an automobile accident on April 28, 1980, and to Tim Caldwell, who on March 28, 1980, one month prior to Tommy's death, was killed at age 25 in a collision with a Spartanburg County garbage truck on S.C. Highway 215.
Death
Toy Caldwell was found dead in bed by his wife, Abbie, on February 25, 1993, at his home inMoore, South Carolina.[1]The cause of death was reported as cardio-respiratory failure due to viral myocarditis, by Spartanburg County Coroner Jim Burnett.[4][5][6]Nevertheless, a toxicologist's report found that the cause of death was a cardiac arrest brought on by cocaine use.[7]
References
edit- ^ab"Toy Caldwell Jr., 45, a Founder of the Marshall Tucker Band".New York Times.February 26, 1993. pp. A17.
- ^Marines salute Hutchings, CaldwellsDudley Brown. Herald-Journal. Jun 29, 2003
- ^"Toy Caldwell Jr., 45, a Founder of the Marshall Tucker Band".The New York Times.26 February 1993.
- ^"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon 2016-07-09.Retrieved2012-11-04.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^Stambler, Irwin; Landon, Grelun (2000-07-14).Country Music: The Encyclopedia.Macmillan.ISBN978-0-312-26487-1.
- ^Stanton, Scott (2003-09-02).The Tombstone Tourist: Musicians.Pocket Books.ISBN978-1-4165-9575-5.
- ^"Cocaine blamed in death of Caldwell".GoUpstate.Retrieved2024-05-04.